let you goe but by strong hand the new translation hath it And the king of Egypt will not let you goe no not by a strong hand now how may a man know which is the better I answer hee may know it although he have no other helpe than his owne let him looke into Exod. 6. 1. there the Lord saith to Moses now shalt thou see what I will doe to Pharoah for by a strong hand shall be let them goe so herein the ordinary Bibles are the better from these wee inferre a wise Christian may helpe himselfe by the helpe of his minister in any doubt about the difference of texts of Scripture and to shut up all in a word it is plaine and manifest by these premises that the true Church throughout all ages hath preserved the letter and text of the Scripture from all annoiances taint of corruption or the least soile that may bee The use hereof is First seeing it hath beene the care of the Church in all times to preserve the letter of Scriptures therefore it must be every mans care to read it be acquainted with it and to meditate therein so to profit by it as Ioh. 5. 39. Christ counsels us Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to have eternall life they are they which testifie of me so 2 Tim. 3. 15. Timothie was commended for that he had knowne the Scriptures of a Childe which were able to make him wise unto salvation in like manner wee must know the Scriptures and be acquainted with them to make us truely wise Augustine saith well to this purpose that the two testaments are the two breasts of the Church that every Christian man must sucke to draw spirituall nourishment from that he may live eternally by it and another learned man saith that the holy Scripture is an Epistle sent from the Creator to the creature if an earthly king should send us a letter what would we let it lye by us would we not bestow some time to read meditate of it and bee acquainted with it to know what were the kings will with us so saith he the holy Scripture is the letter and Epistle of Almighty God let us labour to bee acquainted with it bestow some time to read it and meditate therein another learned man saith Now the Paradise of God is in this world the bookes of the Scriptures are the trees of Life whereof no man is forbidden to eate therefore it must be our care to heare the Scriptures read and to reade them our selves meditate in them and tell the good things that wee learne from thence one to another Secondly seeing it hath beene the care of the Church to preserve the Scripture it must bee our care not onely to reade and to meditate in it but also to beleeve it and to put it in practice as Psal 124. David did where hee saith by the words of thy lips I kept mee from the pathes of the cruell man and againe Psal 119. 11. I have hid thy promise in my heart that I might not sinne against thee See wee must learne by the Scriptures to put it in practice to sanctifie us in our wayes to keep us from sinning against God and to direct us in all the things wee take in hand this fruit and benefit wee must draw out from it saith Christ to the Iewes I will not accuse you but there is one will accuse you even Moses in whom yee trust How shall Moses accuse them not in his person but by his Bookes and Doctrine for that they did not beleeve nor practise but neglect the things that were commended to them therein so Moses shall accuse them and draw such a fearefull bill against them as they shall not bee able to answer so wee that bee your Pastours and teachers wee doe not accuse you but Moses Paul and Peter doth accuse you and will write such a fearefull bill of indictment against you as you shall not bee able to answere Therefore labour yee to repent of your sinnes to make conscience of your wayes to put in practice the good things that have beene taught you that so there bee not framed a fearfull bill of indictment against you which yee shall not bee able to answer especially remember it at this time to make use of it seeing yee see by evident tokens that God is displeased with us doe not thinke that time will weare it out but search into your hearts and into your lives to see what is amisse repent of your sinnes and turne to God that he may turne away this fearefull judgment that is come upon this land Oh my good brethren let us not passe away these things and make no accompt of them but let us labour to put them in practise seeing wee know them lest there bee such a fearefull bill of indictment framed against us as wee shall not be able to answer SERMON LXV 1 TIMOTHY 3. 15. That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy selfe in the House of God which is the Church of the Living God the Pillar and ground of the Truth WEE heard the last day that the Church hath three wayes preserved the tables of truth First in preserving the Letter of the Scripture which I then dispatched Secondly in preserving the Canon of the Scripture I meane the true number of Canonicall Books Thirdly in preserving the Authoritie of the Scriptures Wee come now to the next Point which is that the Church hath preserved the true Canon of the Scripture that is the true number of the Canonicall Bookes without adding or diminishing Canonicall Scripture is that which is given us of God is bee a rule of faith and good life by the which yee may bee sure wee may please God The word Canon is a Greeke word signifying a Rule so the Scripture is a rule to square out our actions by Those which worke in curious buildings doe not work by aime and ghesse but by rule so in the spirituall building of a mans soule and conscience in making a spirituall house for God wee must not goe by aime and ghesse but by rule Wee must hold us to our rule so saith S. Paul Gal. 6. 16. As many as walke according to this rule peace shall bee upon them and mercy and upon the Israel of God And Exod. 25. 40. saith the Lord to Moses Looke therefore that thou make all after the pattern that was shewed thee in the mount There the Lord had given Moses a paterne Such a charge as this comes to every Christian concerning all his actions see that thou doest it according to the paterne which the Lord hath lest thee in the Scriptures to bee a rule of faith and good life and to build up thy soule and conscience in the assurance of thy salvation and hope of an heavenly life Therefore it hath beene the care of the Church to preserve the true number of the Canonicall Bookes intire Paul tells
us Gal. 3. 15. Though it bee but a mans Testament when it is confirmed yet no man abrogates it nor addes any thing thereto therefore seeing the Scripture is the best will and Testament of Iesus Christ there is no man that should adde or subtract any thing from it Now in the New Testament all is Canonicall It was the wisedome of the first Christians not to suffer any thing to goe hand in hand with the word of God lest the Lord should take up that complaint against them Ezek. 43. 8. Albeit they set up their thresholds by my thresholds and their posts by my posts and the wall between me and them c. In the new Testament all is Canonicall but in the old there are nine Bookâ—s which are not Canonicall the two Bookes of Esdras the Bookes of Tobit and Iudith Wisedome Ecclesiasticus Baruch the two Bookes of Macchabees with some fragments of Daniel and Hester as for the second Booke of Esdras it is very fabulous as S. Ierome doth affirme And Bellarmine confesseth where hee saith S. Ambrose himselfe doth foure times alleage it and yet it is not Canonicall because no councell tooke it to be so and it was not wrote in Hebrew In the sixt Chapter thereof there are two monsters spoken of that Sea and Land could not hold Now this is a fabulous thing and a very dreame therefore saith hee I wonder what came into his minde so a certaine Pope saith for so much as it was found written in the Greeke and not in the Hebrew which was the tongue that the Scripture was wrote in wee hold it to bee Apocrypha Therefore now if any man shall demand are there some Bookes Canonicall and some Apocrypha I answer that is called Canonicall which was written by the chosen Penmen of the Holy Ghost and hath sufficient authoritie in it selfe to confirme our faith and to perswade us that God is well pleased in the performance of those things which are required in it saith Augustine if were finde any hard place wee are not to blame it and to say it is not true but wee must say the fault is in the Printer or in the interpreter or it is because I doe not understand it Now the Apocrypha Bookes are such as were written by men not so inspired though they were learned men and such as were indued with the Spirit of God yet a man is not bound to beleeve them any further than they have warrant from the Canonicall Scripture S. Ierome saith though they were good men that wrote them yet they bee not of weight sufficient to confirme any Point of Doctrine no further than they have authoritie from the Scriptures And Damascen saith that they were good Bookes but yet they were not put into the Arke of God and kept as the Canonicall Scripture was now here is the difference between them the Canonicall Scripture is the very word of God c. The Apocrypha though there bee good things in it yet in it there is some taste of humane frailtie Now if any man shall aske why did not the Church receive this as the Canonicall Scriptures I answer there is good cause why they did not receive it which hath foure grounds for it First because the Iewes which were the Church and people of God did not receive it S. Paul saith Rom. 3. that to the Iewes were committed in trust the Oracles of God but they did not receive these Bookes therefore they were not the Oracles of God But how shall wee know that they did not receive them as the Scripture I answer First because Iosephus which was a Iew tells us in his booke against Appianus that the Iewes had two and twentie bookes which were written from God by Holy men inspired by the Holy Ghost saying that other bookes there bee which bee not of the like authoritie because they were written since the succession of the Prophets And S. Ierome saith that as the Iewes had two and twentie letters so they had two and twentie bookes that they admitted of and of no other booke besides into the Canon of the Scripture This is so cleare that Bellarmine himselfe confesseth it The second ground is this they which did write the Apocrypha were not the Penmen of the Scripture Wee see in the speech Luk. 16. 27. where Abraham is brought in saying to Dives they have Moses the Prophets let them heare them so Moses and the Prophets were the Penmen of the Scripture But the Apocrypha was not written by the Prophets First because they were not written in Hebrew which was the tongue that they wrote in againe they would not speake and write in an unknowne tongue to the people because they would not bring that curse upon them which is spoken of 1 Cor. 14. 21. In the Law it is written with men of other tongues and other lips will I speake to this people and yet for all that will they not heare mee saith the Lord. Secondly because the Succession of the Prophets were ceased at that time when these bookes were written as Iosephus saith for they were written in the time of the Macchabees and David tells us Psal 74. 9. prophecying of the destruction of the Church and true Religion which was in the time of the Macchabees wee see not our signes there is no more any Prophet neither is there among us any that knoweth how long Therefore seeing it was not writ in the tongue that the Prophets wrote in but in Greeke and they were written since the Prophets therefore the Prophets were not the Penmen of them The third ground is that they bee not in the number of the witnesses that Christ will stand to for these bee Christs witnesses Luk. 24. 27. where it is said and hee began at Moses and all the Prophets and interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himselfe so verse 24. and hee said unto them these are the words which I spake unto you whilest I was with you that all things must bee fulfilled which was written of me in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalmes Augustine faith well that the Iewes doe not accompt of any bookes save of Moses the Prophets and of the Psalmes to the which our Lord Iesus gave witnesse and Chrysostome saith that the Iewes did divide the Scriptures into three parts the Law and the Prophets and the Psalmes they bee the witnesses that Christ stands to But these Apocrypha Bookes are not within this number therefore the Apocrypha is not received equally as the Scriptures are of the Church The fourth is Because the Bookes themselves bewray that they bee of man and not of God as S. Paul saith Rom. 3. 4. Let God bee true and every man a lyar but these Bookes there is none of them but have some taste of humane fâ—ailty in it as Tobit 5. there an Angell is made to lye but the
elect Angells are pure and Holy and cannot lye Now for the Booke of Iudith that is a storie devised for the Credit of the Iewes for there was never such a King as is there spoken of amongst the Iewes nor such a high Priest nor so long a time of tranquillitie and peace for so many yeeres together as is spoken of Chap. 6. 7 8. And for Ecclesiasticus Chap. 24. 12. there the eternall wisedome is said to bee a creature Therefore hereby it may appeare that although there bee some good things in them yet they rast of the vessell of earth whence they came and shew that they came not from heaven as the Canonicall did therefore the Church had good reason and ground not to receive these Bookes as the Scripture and also to preserve the true Canon of the Scripture without addition or subtraction and indeed it is well when the two Testaments may meet together without parting that their lippes may kisse each other to joine Moses and Christ the Law and the Gospell together seeing that the last words of the Old Testament ends with a Curse and the New beginneth with a blessing this is the generation of Iesus Christ the Sonne of David the Sonne of Abraham The uses are Seeing it hath beene the care of the Church to preserve the true rule and Canon of the Scripture without addition or distraction wee should blesse God and bee thankfull that hee hath not left us without a rule in so many worldly distractions where Kingdome is set against Kingdome one learned man against another in such varietie of opinions yet hee hath not left us without a guide to direct both our lives and consciences in the right way if wee will obey it as it is Esai 8. 29. To the Law and to the Testimonies if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them so Iohn 5. 39. saith Christ search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to have eternall life and they are they which testifie of mee to the same purpose also 2 Pet. 1. 19. saith hee Wee have also a most sure word of the Prophets to the which yee doe well that yee take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place c. Therefore we see that God hath given us a rule to direct us by in the time of distraction and danger If one should have a long jorney to goe and one should put into his hand a glasse that would shew him every step hee should take that hee might not step one step awry how thankfull would this man bee such a glasse is the Scripture for wee have a long journey to goe from earth to Heaven wherefore the Lord hath put this glasse into our hands that is hee hath given us the Scripture to shew us every step which wee should take that if wee set but one foot awry wee may see it Therefore how thankfull should wee bee to God for it Act. 17. 11. when Paul had preached the word there being opposition amongst them they got to the Bible and searched out the truth of the matter whether it were so or no whereupon it is said many of them beleeved So when the learned men and preachers have oppositions there being distraction and diversities of opinions amongst them the Lord hath given us a rule Wee must to the Scriptures Therefore thankes bee to God hee hath not left us to erre and wander but hath given us a direction to guide us Augustin saith well concerning this point if there bee any distraction or opposition about this thing or that thing let Christ bee the Iudge for hee speaketh in the Scripture therefore this is an excellent blessing which we are to bee thankfull for that God hath given us a Rule to walke by The second use is seeing God hath given us a rule to walk by therefore no man can excuse himselfe and say I would have done it if I had knowen it or if some body had told it mee or if I had a rule to goe by Now there is no man can excuse himselfe and say hee hath not a Rule for God hath left him one in his word which makes all unexcusable as Iohn 15. 22. Christ speakes If I had not come and spoken to them they should not have had sinne but now their sinne abideth so if God had not left us a rule and a direction to guide our selves by in the Bible wee should have had no sinne but because God hath given us such a rule to walke by therefore if wee walke not according to it wee have no cloake for our sinne Seeing God hath left us a rule to walke by It must bee our wisedome to make use of this rule in our thoughts speeches and actions Wee see a man is much the better that hath a rule to worke by for hee will stick it at his backe worke by aime and not by ghesse so Psal 119. 33. saith David Teach mee O Lord the way of thy statutes and I will keepe it to the end As if hee should say let mee but know thy will and I am contented to doe it If once wee know Gods will wee must direct all our speeches and actions to bee ruled by it It is a great infamy to any man to come into an order and not to hold him to his order as to bee a Soldier or a Scholler but much more to bee a Christian and yet not to humble ones self to the rules of Christianitie how just shall our condemnation bee the Rule of Gods Word teacheth a man to bee temperate and not to bee overtaken with surfeting and drunkennesse to bee mercifull to deale conscionably in our wayes and not to mispend our time to repent of our sinnes and therefore when men will not hold them to their rule to live temperatly walk holily and to make conscience of their wayes to deale truly and justly with men to take heede they doe not mispend their time to repent them of their sinnes if they doe not these things they are fallen from their rule and shamed in that they hold not to it Augustin saith there bee a number of things that seeme to bee straight but bring them to the rule and then wee may see their obliquities so there bee a number of things that seeme to be straight and good but lay them to the Rule bring them to the Scriptures and to the Law of God then wee may see a number of obliquities in them and how short they come of the Rule as 1 King 17. when Elias applied himselfe to the Child 's dead bodie his face to the Childs and his hands to the Childs hands then did appeare the dissimilitude between them and how short the Child came of him So when we shall compare our actions with the Law of God then wee shall see the dissimilitude and disproportions betweene them and when wee see how short
we come of it it must be our care to mend it and to walke by rule SERMON LXVI 1 TIMOTHY 3. 15. That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy selfe in the House of God which is the Church of the Living God the Pillar and ground of the Truth HOw the Church is called the ground and the Pillar of truth hath beene in part declared already for first it hath preserved the letter of the Scripture secondly the Canon of the Scripture that is the number of the holy bookes thirdly the authority of the Scripture of which I am now to speake I say not that the Church giveth authority to the Scripture but I say it doth preserve the authoritie of the Scripture for if the Church should give authority to the Scripture then the authority of the Church were greater than the authority of the Scripture the Papists say that the Scripture is not authenticall but by the authority of the Church and another saith to speake absolutely the Church is of more authority because it giveth authority to the Scripture this is the doctrine of the Papists but the Scripture hath not his authority from the Church but from God so Saint Paul saith 2 Tim. 3. 16. For the whole Scripture is given by inspiration from God and is profitable to teach to improve to correct instruct c. so 2 Pet. 1. 25. for the prophecies came not in the old time by the will of man but holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost therefore because the Scripture is given by inspiration from God it hath its authority from God unlesse we thinke it cannot be the word of God unlesse men allow of it so being favourable unto God that unlesse God please men they will give no authority to his word therefore the Scripture hath sufficient authority from God without any testimonie from men because it is the Word of God Now here comes a question which the Papists make How shall we know the Scripture but by the authoritie of the Church I answere because we may know it by infallible arguments and can prove it to bee the Scripture The testimony of the Church in this regard is to shew and declare that it came from God he is the Author of it it hath the Authority from God not from the Church the Church onely declares and makes it knowne to her Children by infallible testimonies that it is given by inspiration from God As a poore man who carrieth letters from the king can give no authoritie to it but if any man make doubt whether it came from the king or no he can shew the kings hand and seale to it and make it knowne to bee so by divers testimonies so the Church can give to authoritie to the Scripture but if any man make doubt whether it bee the Scripture or no the true Church can make it knowne by divers arguments that it came from God and this is the office of the Church Now there bee seven evidences whereby wee may prove that the Scriptures came from God the Author of them First The puritie of it so Spirituall and full of holy Matter of Goodnesse Iustice Sanctitie forbidding vice commending Vertue voide of all Corruption and so farre remooved from the heart of Man as that Man must needs thinke that it came from God So Deut. 4. 8. Moses saith What Nation is so great that hath ordinances and lawes so righteous as this law that I have set before you So David Psal 19. The Law of the Lord is an undefiled Law Hence we inferre the puritie thereof doth declare that it came from God It is so Holy and Divine as no wit of Man could devise the like all other lawes which have beene made by man in time have beene discovered and their corruptions approved even Lycurgus his Law which was thought to bee the best All other Bookes which have beene devised by the wit of Man have their corruptions Amongst the Philosophers no Rose but had his prickle no truth without some mixture of falsehood but this Booke of the Scripture the longer it is in the World the more it is discovered the more the puritie and holinesse of it doth appeare therefore this is an evidence that it came from God Secondly we may know the Scripture is from God by the majesty of it that in so plaine words and termes such high wisedome is contained therein and so transcending the Nature and wit of Man as no writing of man was ever like unto it As the officers of the high Priests said of Christ Iohn 7. 46. Never man spake like this Man so we may say of the Scriptures never did any Booke speake like this Booke If all mens wits were laid together they were not able to gather together one leafe like it all other bookes of other writers with two or three times reading them over wee may draw them dry even the Bookes of Demosthenes Plato and Aristotle But if we should live a thousand yeeres to read the Scriptures yet still wee should have one new thing or other This doth shew that all Mens wits have a bottome but the Scripture hath none therefore we may say of other bookes that they bee as a little gold among a great deale of earth but we may say of the Scripture as of the Pearle that there is a great deale of Treasure comprehended in a little roome Thirdly by the Power of it for there is nothing in this world that the nature of Man can lesse digest at this day than the Scripture Men cannot abide to read the Scriptures and yet notwithstanding wee see of what power it is to worke on the soule and conscience of Men it closeth with them and makes them see their sinnes to repent for them and brings them home to God as Heb. 4. 12. saith the Apostle For the Word of God is lively and mighty in operation and sharper than a two-edged sword and entreth through even to the dividing asunder of soule and spirit and of the joynes and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart Now this power of the Word shewes it is from God Againe when a Mans Conscience is on the racke there is nothing but God can releeve him therefore this is an evidence that it is of God because it is of power as well to convert as also to comfort a Man when his Conscience is on the racke Fourthly By innumerable prophecies and predictions therein that have been foretold and come to passe in the times appointed as Esay 41. 22. saith God Let them bring forth and shew us what shall happen let them shew the former things what they be that we may consider them and know the latter end of them or declare us things for to come Shew the things that are to come hereafter that wee may know that ye are Gods yea doe good or doe
faâ—le as we see many times men fall in the Streetes by reason of the want thereof according to that Lament 4. 4. where it is said The tongue of the sucking Childe cleaveth to the roofe of his mouth for thirst Thirdly Extremitie of griefe and sorrow that was upon him for mans sin for the Schoolemen say that a sorrowfull heart drieth up the bones And these were the Naturall causes of his thirst All which was to shew that it was not a light matter to redeeme us but it cost him a great deale of pains and sorrow Therefore we must take heed we doe not cast away that for a little ease pleasure or profit that cost so much to redeeme us The Morall causes were First hee thirsted that we might not thirst for such is our sinfulnesse that we deserve not when wee lie on our sicke beds and come to die to have a drop of wine nay we are not worthy of a drop of wine to refresh us nor of cold water to coole us wee that have so many pots to drinke by the pound or by the dozens by the yard the time may come that we cannot have a drop of water to coole us with We see the rich gluiton that in all probability had his tasters and all varietie of daintiest dishes and rarest wines to please his palate in this life being in Hell desires but a droope of water to coole him and could not have it and this is the desert of our sinnes But Christ thirsted that wee might not thirst And therefore wee may say O blessed bee God for the thirst of Christ for it hath procured many a sweete drop for us The second cause that Christ thirsted was to fulfill a Scripture This is a point very observable that all that Christ did was to fulfill the Scriptures which is a phrase very common through the whole Booke of God I will instance onely in the Gospell by Saint Matthew Christ was borne of a Virgin to fulfill the Scripture chap. 1. 22. So also he was borne at Bethlehem chap. 2. 5. He dwelt in Nazareth vers ult Went and dwelt in Capernâ—um chap. 4. 13. onely to fulfill the Scripture and so in many other places both of this and the other Evangelists it is said Christ did so and so that the Scriptures might bee fulfilled whence wee learne this point of instruction That all that Christians doe must be to fulfill a Scripture wee must not looke to our owne ease and to our owne content but wee must carrie our eye to the Scripture to fulfill that This must be the reason why we read why wee heare the Scriptures or come to heare the Word preached why we pray and come to Church why we doe give to the necessitie of the Saints and why we doe the duties of our Callings all to fulfill the Scriptures As Marriners when they be at Sea howsoever the windes blow here and there yet looke to their Card and Compasse and eye that because it is their direction so Christians must doe how ever the winds blow here and there yet they must eye the Scriptures because it is their direction and keepe close to them when prophane wretches the sons of Belial be swilling and drinking doe they eye the Scriptures doe they that they doe to fulfill the Scriptures No verily except it be this Scripture in the 1 Corinth 10. 7. They sate downe to eate and drinke and rose up to play or this Iob 21. 13. They spend their dayes in wealth and suddenly goe downe to the grave so they shall have but small comfort of such fulfilling the Scriptures But let us fulfill the Scriptures as Christ did and then wee shall have comfort in life and death He fulfilled many Scriptures before and had but this one to fulfill so that hee could not be at rest till hee had fulfilled it So when we have fulfilled many Scriptures and be upon our sicke beds if there come one more into our mindes there is such a Scripture to be fulfilled such a neighbor to be reconciled unto or there is some wrong to be righted we should not bee at rest till wee have done it It is the manner of the World if they have fulfilled one or two Scriptures they take a dispensation for the rest if they come to Church in the forenoone they thinke they neede not come in the afternoone If they pray in the morning they may live loosely all the day after If they have done one dutie or two they have done enough But a Christian must doe all the Scripture commands and have an eye to all the commandements of God to doe them As David did I have respect to all thy Commandements and Psa l me 18. for saith he His Lawes are before mee and I did not cast away his Commandements Therefore if a man hath done a number of good duties that the Lord commands him and he remembers one thing that hee hath not done he must labour to doe it for we must not make conscience of some duties and neglect others but ought to make conscience of all the Commandements of God The third cause is that by his thirst wee might learne to be a thirst for all the Actious of Christ on the Crosse are for our example Therefore as Christ thirsted for water so we should thirst for the Spirit of grace As he said I thirst so a Christian man must say O good neighbour I thirst but what dost thou thirst for not for wine and strong beare but I thirst for Iesus Christ for sanctified graces faith repentance the pardon of my sinnes for Heaven and happinessse and for Gods favour Augustine saith there be divers thirsts in the world some thirst after wine strong drink some after goods and lands some after honour and preferment some after pleasure and some after blood But thou O man doe thou thirst after Heaven and happinese be athirst for Gods favour for the pardon of thy sinnes and for righteousnesse and then thou shalt bee satisfied for our Saviour saith Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shall be satisfied Indeede there bee a number of Christians in the World every one of whom hath his thirst the covetous man after his goods the hatefull man for revenge but the Christian man he must thirst for Gods favour So David saith My soule thirsteth after thee c. therefore howsoever the men of the world thirst after lands and livings thou that art a Christian must thirst after Iesus Christ and for the pardon of thy sins and thou shalt bee satisfied when they with the rich glutton in Hell shall thirst and have not a droppe of water to refresh them or coole them Secondly how Christ carried himselfe in his thirst hee complained and cryed out and said I thirst which may teach us that the people of God are not stockes and blockes but they have sense and
me not are words of information and of instruction to her for shee would have imbraced Christ but Christ refused her Now this is strange that Marie had sought so long for Christ and sought him with teares and now finding him he forbids her to touch him therefore these words are words of instruction wherein are two limitations The first is Noli me tangere touch mee not now for I am not yet ascended there will be time enough hereafter but now I have a more needfull duty for you to doe Goe and tell my brethren that I am risen for the Disciples were at the grave and saw nothing but the grave-clothes therefore they went away with a conceit that some body had stollen away Christ taken away his body and so their faith was in danger and if it should bee longer held in suspence might bee sore shaken if not utterly ruined and therefore it was that Marie must be sent in such post to acquaint them with his rising and may not stay the time to touch Christ now though it were a good thing to doe so yet shee must preferre this more needfull thing First goe and tell his Disciples that hee was risen which must teach us that we must apply our selves to the duty that God cals us too there bee many examples of it in the Scripture as Ios 7. 10. Hee humbled himselfe fasted and prayed unto the Lord and the Lord said unto Ioshua Vp Ioshua what dost thou there I have another dutie for thee to doe it is a good thing indeed to fast and pray but I will not have thee to doe it now I have another service and dutie for thee to doe there is an execrable thing committed goe and finde it out And so Matth. 8. Christ bids the man to follow him but hee will first goe and bury his father though Christ saith Let the dead bury the dead but follow thou mee It is a good thing to bury ones father but Christ calls him to another duty therefore it was not needfull then to doe it To make use of it to ouer selves it is a good thing to performe the duties of our calling to buy and sell to bargaine plant and to sow and such like but when the Sabbath day commeth doe it not then God calleth us to doe duties of Prayer repentance hearing of the Word receiving of the Sacraments and such like so it is a good thing to read on a good booke or in the Scripture but when we come to Church God calls us to another duty to heare to pray with the Minister and therefore doe it not The second limitation is Noli me tangere Touch me not so touch me not with the hands of thy body but touch mee with The hands of thy faith it was Thomas his resolution Vnlesse I touch him with my hands and put my fingers into his side I will not beleeve Christ replies Thomas because thou hast seene mee thou hast beleeved Blessed are they that have not seene and yet have beleeved Ioh. 20. 29. It is a good thing to touch Christ with the hands of our bodies O but it is a blesseder thing to touch him with the hand of our faith hence we learne That to enioy Christs bodily presence is not so great a thing as to apprehend him by the hand of our faith Augustine speaking of the woman that had the bloody issue said There were a number of people that did throng and thrust Christ but they drew no vertue out of him shee onely did and that by a touch of her faith therefore it is a more blessed thing to touch Christ with the hand of faith than with the hand of our body there bee a number thinke that unlesse they touch Christ and feele him and handle him it is nothing I but doe thou labour to touch Christ by the hand of Faith and this will be of force to draw vertue from him The second end was to send comfort to his Disciples for Christ did not onely dye for them and us but when hee had done he tooke care to apply it this is the great goodnesse and mercy of Christ not only to dye for us but also to apply his death to us Now in this sending of Mary wee may observe three things 1. The party that did cary it It was Mary 2. Vnto whom To his brethren 3. The message it selfe That I ascend to my Father and to your Father to my God and your God First who it was that carried it Mary but why did not Christ goe himselfe I answere it was to finde them the more humbled for their sinnes and their offences It was a great wisedome in Christ and a singular dispensation to send Mary for what might the Disciples thinke of it that Christ had appeared to Mary and had not appeared to them Thus wee be unworthy of his company wee have so often denyed and forsaken him therefore that he might finde them the more humbled for their sinnes and their offences he sent Mary In like manner when wee see others receive comfort against their sinnes and we cannot others be in peace and we bee not what may we thinke but what we be unworthy of it therefore that we may be the more humbled for our sinnes and offences and the fitter to receive him Christ doth deferre his comfort from us as 1 King 19. when Elias was in the cave there came first a whirlewind then an earthquake then a fire then a still and soft voyce where God was why did God come thus with a whirlewinde an earthquake and fire it was to make the Prophet the more humbled when he came and the more fit to receive the charge that was to be imposed upon him so Act. 9. when Christ came unto Paul hee flung him off his horse and stroke him with blindenesse that hee might make him the more humbled for his sinnes and his offences and the fitter to receive the charge which should be given him Secondly to shew how ready wee should bee to communicate good things one to another for when we have received any good we should be ready to impart it to another We see the little birds when they have got a worme they fly home to their yong ones and make them partakers with them so when wee have gotten any good thing we should carry it home and make our families partakers of it As naturally the Sunne casts his light on the Moone and Stars and the Moone and Starres casts it downe againe on the earth so all the light of knowledge that is cast upon us we should cast upon our brethren and as Christ said to Mary Goe tell my brethren so I say to you Go and tell your friends your acquaintance your neighbours and your owne children and families the good things that God hath revealed unto you Thirdly to instruct the disciples which were the doctors and pastors of the Church Mary was but a
injuried our brethren despised his judgements and abused his mercies these sinnes and a thousand others which wee thinke not on at that very time shall come into our mindes and or hearts shall frame such a bill against us as we shall be never able to answer howsoever now they be close and covered wee see in experience of nature if a man write a faire peece of paper with the juyce of a Lemman or an Onion there will be nothing seene but bring it to the light of a candle or to the flame of the fire and then all the letters will be seene and it may be read so it is with sinne some men write it with such a cunning pen that none can discover it the paper their fore-heads is faire and cleane but bring it to the flame of Gods wrath and to the bright candle of Gods Law and then all the uglinesse of their sins shall be laid open Hence the use is Seeing there shall be such a conviction at the day of Iudgement therefore how carefull ought we to be to live well because all the sinnes we have done shall then be laid open before us so Salomon saith Ecclesiast 12. 13. Feare God and keepe his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man for God will bring every worke to judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or bad Therefore because every sinne shall be knowne how carefull should we be to please God If a man should think nothing speak nothing nor doe nothing but it should be cried up and downe in the next Market-towne he would take heed what he thought spake and did it should be much more the care of Christians to take heed what they thinke speake and doe for it shall be proclaimed in the Theater of this world before all men neither shall any part of their actions though never so closely acted lye hid and not be manifested Gen. 44. when Iosephs brethren did goe out of Aegypt they went in peace and all was well because their sacks were shut up O but when they were made after and the sackes opened and Ioseph cup found in one of their sackes then they rent their clothes and tooke on pitifully so it is with a number of men in this world when they die and goe out of this world they goe with peace because their sackes their consciences be shut they doe not reprove them O but when the Lord shall open their consciences when their sackes shall be opened then see what a deale of bad stuffe there is in them therefore we should take heed what we gather into our sacks As it is in the story of Aesop his master beat him for eating of figs but he desired his master before he beat him to give unto every one of his fellowes a draught of warme water which his master did and they did vomit up the figs againe whereby the false accusation laid unto Aesop was discovered so it is in this world there be figs eaten and some say this man hath eaten them and some say that man and no body knowes who hath the figs There is something taken away injury and wrong done this man is blamed and that man well the Lord shall give us such a heavie draught at the day of Iudgement that we shall vomit up all the sinnes that be in the secret corners of our hearts and then will be seene who hath eaten the figges who hath had this thing and that hereby is manifest that there will be a day when the wicked shall be convicted and all their sins laid open therefore we must take heed what we doe and speake and thinke we see in the story of Iaakoh Gen. 31. when he fled into Assyria Lahan made after him and when hee had overtaken him he went into his tent and did search to see if he could finde any thing that was his which if hee had found hee would have carried all backe againe so when we flie away from the devill he will make after and search us to see whether we have gotten any thing of his he would make us his bond-slaves carry us into bondage into hell and therefore consider what yee gather and what yee take into your packes Secondly The meanes by which they shall bee convicted shall bee by opening of the bookes which we are not to take literally that they be paper or parchment bookes but it is a metaphor taken from earthly Iudges who reade all their Indictments out of a booke so all our sinnes shall be laid open before us as if they were written in a booke not by any report or surmises of others Wee finde in Scripture mention made of two bookes 1. The booke of Gods remembrance 2. The booke of every mans conscience First there is no sinne that we doe commit but it is written in Gods remembrance howsoever wee may forget them and make little account of them yet the Lord will remember them So we see Hos 7. 2. And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickednesse and Malach. 3. 14. wee may see how the wicked did scoffe at the godly and said It is in vaine to serve God and what profit is it that we keepe his Commandements c. Then spake they that feared the Lord every one to his neighbour and the Lord harkened and heard it and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his name Now as the Lord hath a booke written of the good deeds of his servants to remember them so it is certaine that he hath a booke of remembrance to record all the deeds of the wicked in The second booke is the booke of every mans conscience For there is never a fin we commit but it is written in our consciences Rom. 2. 15. Their conscience bearing witnesse and their thoughts accusing one another and excusing at that day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ So their conscience is a witnesse to them whether they have done well or ill Now against these two bookes no man can take exception First they cannot take exception against the booke of Gods remembrance because God cannot remember that which never was for he is prima veritas the fountaine of truth and therefore he is not capable of any untruth he cannot lye like to us As the Sunne is the fountaine of light and therefore is not capable of any darknesse and the fire is the fountaine of heat and therefore is not capable of cold so God is the fountaine of all truth and therefore he is not capable of any untruth and therefore against this booke no man can take exception againe Philosophers say That which is never done and that which is false cannot be remembred nor come into minde much lesse then can God remember it who is most true in himselfe therefore against the booke
to all her Children by the meanes of Pastors and Teachers which the Apostle delivers unto us Ephes 4. 11. where he saith When hee ascended up on high bee led captivitie captive hee gave gifts unto Men c. He therefore gave some to bee Apostles some Evangelists some Prophets some Pastors and Teachers for the gathering together of the Saints for the worke of the Ministery and for the edification of the Body of Christ that henceforth we be not Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every winde of Doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lie in waite to deceive For the first it doth keepe and preserve the Tables of Truth in three respects 1. It keepes the letters of the Scripture 2. The true Canon of the Scripture that is the true number of the Canonicall Bookes 3. The Authoritie of the Scriptures First It keepes the letters of the Scriptures for the Scripture is the chiefest rich Iewell and Treasure that Christ hath left his people therefore it hath beene the care of the Church the Spouse to preserve and keepe the Scripture as the chiefest Iewell and Treasure left of her husband Christ we see in experience if a man leave a Iewell or some other treasure with his wife when he goes into a farre countrie she will be carefull to keepe it till he come home againe shee will locke it up or lay it in some Boxe or Chest so because the Scripture is a rich Iewell left unto the Church by her Husband Christ therefore there can be no doubt but the Church was carefull at all times to preserve and keepe it to this purpose Exod. 25. 16. The Lord commanded Moses to make an Arke of Shittim wood to put the Tables of the Covenant in that is the written Law of God and why should they put it into an Arke or Chest of Cedar But because it is the durablest wood which will not rot to teach us that the Lord would have the Scriptures preserved therefore S. Paul saith Rom. 3. 4. That the Lord hath of trust committed the Oracles of Truth unto the Iewes which were the Church of God so that it is the dutie of the Church to preserve and keepe them None hath done it but the Church which hath not failed in any point If a tender mother should have a spring that she and her Children live by to drinke of how carefull would she be to kepe it from all annoyances so because the Scripture is as a Spring that the Church lives by and drinkes of she and her children Therefore there can be no question but that the Church hath beene carefull to keepe it from all annoyances It hath beene an opinion of the Papists that the Scripture was corrupted by the Iewes in the Originall Text but if this opinion were true it were enough to bring in Atheisme and all prophanenes for no body can deny but if that the letters of the Scripture were corrupted in the Originall then that which is translated cannot be right Here then to confute this opinion of the Papists which is enough to bring in flat Atheisme and superstition I will shew you divers arguments and reasons to proove that the Scripture hath not beene corrupted which because it is a point of learning and a high one therefore as God when he gave the Law to the People came downe upon the Mount as low as might bee to deliver it to them so I will come downe as low as I can to make it plaine to your Capacities who heare me The first Is drawne by comparison from a King There is no King that would suffer his Statute lawes to be corrupted in the fundimentall Points and his publike Records if hee could helpe it but God is our King and the Scripture is the Statute-Law of God and his publike Records whereby he makes his Will knowne to Men and governes them and therefore can we thinke that the Lord will suffer any to corrupt it seeing he hath Power in his hand to help it unlesse we thinke that God hath lesse care than an earthly king would have of his lawes Iosephus reports and also Eusebius of a certaine Poet that tooke upon him to apply a Holy sentence to a wrong end who was stricken with blindnesse till he made confession of his fault And of another that tooke a peece of Scripture to make a jest of it who was taken with a phreneticall madnesse and hardly ever recovered againe Now therefore if God doe punish those that do prophane the Scripture then how much more will he punish them that doe corrupt it seeing God hath set this seale to it This God makes good Revel 22. 18. For I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesie of this book If any Man shall adde to these things God shall adde to him the plagues that are written in this booke and if any Man shall take away from the words of the booke of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the Booke of Life therefore who durst meddle to corrupt it The second reason is drawen from the Promise of Christ in Matth. 5. 18. For verily I say unto you till Heaven and Earth perish one jot or one title of the Law shall not escape till all things be fulfilled now by the law he meanes the written Law of God here we have the promise of Christ that as long as Heaven and Earth indures there is not one jot or title of the Law that shall be corrupted The third is taken from the continuall practise of the Prophets Apostles and of Christ himselfe that still send the People of God to the Scriptures as the most sincere Iudges as Esay 8. 20. To the Law and to the Testimonies if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them so 2 Pet. 1. 19. We have also a most sure word of the Prophets to the which ye doe well that ye take heede as unto a light that shineth in a darke place c. and Christ Iohn 5. 39. saith Search the Scriptures for in them you thinke to have Eternall Life they are they which testifie of me So wee see that Christ the Prophets and Apostles call us to the Scriptures as to the sincerest Iudge Now if the scriptures had beene corrupted and depraved they would not have sent us to them for there is no man that will send his servant to sea but hee will tell him the danger of it and of the Shelves Rockes and Sands and where they be that so hee may avoyde them so if the Scriptures had beene corrupted Christ the Prophets and the Apostles would not have sent us to the Scriptures but would have told us where the Rockes and Shelves and where the dangers had beene nay if Christ had knowne the Scriptures had beene corrupted he would have made it knowne or if
hinder a man from Christ 121. * How a strong Christian weakned by sinne may know whether the holy Ghost bee in him or no. 505. Christians of all men most happy because Christ is their Lord. 99. ¶ Good is to be done to Christians as they are Christians 461. †What the Church of God is 525. The Church Triumphant Militant 520. 530. No member of the Triumphant that is not of the Militant Church 530. The great blessing it is to be a member of the Church 566. ¶ Wee must beleeve a not in the Church 523. ¶ The Church a mixed company of good and bad 537. How the Church is one 534. The diverse estates of the Church here in this world 534. The Church sometimes hidden 535. ¶ The Church power at one time than another 537. Of cleaving to the Church 537. ¶ The blessings that proceed from the peace of the Church 536. ¶ The dignities of the Church 539. The Church as the Citie of God excels all other cities in foure respects 539. The Church the Body of Christ 542. * Christ Loveth Indoweth Adorneth Acquitteth Bringeth home Glorifieth the Church his Spouse 544. Vniversality a property of the Church 574. The Church the pillar and ground of truth 549. The Church preserves the Letters Canon Authority of the Scripture 550. Holinesse a property of the Church 569. Iudgement of the world mixture of good and bad remainder of sinne seeme to take away the holinesse of the Church 569. The Church said to bee Holy by 1. Faith and good conversation 2. Impâ—tation of Christs righteousnesse 3. Inherent holinesse in the true members 4. Having the means of holinesse 570. Reasons why there is no salvation without the Church 565. ¶ The Church Betâ—lehem thither we must goe to finde Christ 126. * All things tend to the good of the Church as crosse wheeles in a clocke 88. ¶ The come unto me in glory depends on the come unto me in grace 446. ¶ Christ comes to a man when things bee at the worst 115. ¶ The comfort of the Holy Ghost excels all other comforts 511. To appropriate Christs merit a great comfort 124. †Two times to commend our soules to God In danger every day 258. 3. grounds of coÌ„mending our selves to God because hee is the Father of Spirits our Father in Christ hath afforded us former favours 258. Why Christ gives signes of his comming 402. God communicates his wisdome c. to us we our griefes to him 583. Christ communicates to us Himselfe right of his death merit Power of Spirituall life Dignity of his owne estate 584 We communicate to Christ our Nature Sinnes Troubles and dangers 383. Christ communicates his graces to his Church 341. Of the communion of the Saints 579. By the communion of Saints a Christian hath a thousand helps 597. ¶ The communion of Saints consists in communion with God with Christ one with another 582 Foure lets of the communion of saints 605. The communion one with another consists in the commmuion of the 1. Living with the living 587 c. 2. Living and the Dead in wishing well to conversing with one another 598 3. Dead with the dead in 1. Lying together in the Grave 2. Being members of Christ 3. Being gathered to the Saints departed 599. The communion of the living with the living stands in community of Affection 587. Graces 588. Spirituall sacrifices ibid. Temporall blessings 590. Bearing one with another 594. The communitie of goods is limited in the Excesse Defect 592. Communions of the wicked 579. Christs company a great comfort 243. †Christs complaint on the crosse 168. Christ conceived of the flesh of the Virgin 105. †by the power of the holy Ghost how 106. Christ conceived by the Holy Ghost that he might be pure and without sin 107. †The stirre that was at Christs conception 108. * Of the condemnation of Christ 197. Conscience compared to a Booke wherein all things are written 207. ¶ To sin against conscience a fearefull thing 205. †207. †The property of a good conscience to be moved at Gods judgements 206. ¶ Bad consciences troubled at Christs comming 132. ¶ Wicked mens consciences may be sealed for a time but one day they shall be opened 184. ¶ No flying from an evill conscience 205. ¶ An evill conscience the worst accuser 207. ¶ A Christian though contemn'd in his life is honoured in his grave 278. ¶ Constancie in a good course requisite thogh without successe 199. * Of the conviction at the last day 437. Conversion makes men labour to draw others to the same estate 238. * Confession of sinne Cleering the Iustice of God Zeale for the honour of God a signe of conversion 238. No man knowes the instant of his conversion 305. No cost to be spared for Christ 280. ¶ Covetousnesse moved Iudas to betray Christ 181. †The workes of the Creation not to be lookt on but with due consideration 65. ¶ The Author Substance Manner Subject Estate Time Order End of the Creation c. 64. The motion multitude of the Creatures prove a Deitie 43. ¶ The Creature not God cause of sinne and defect 67. †We ought not to abuse the Creatures seeing God made them 65. Wee ought to pray for restauration to the creatures 68. * Christ died the death of the Crosse because it was most Accursed Shamefull Painefull Apparent 211. Christs behaviour on the Crosse 224. The seven last words of Christ on the Crosse 224. c. The scandall of the Crosse weakens faith 321. Christs Disciples must bee carriers of the Crosse 214. ¶ No man must make a Crosse to himselfe but bee contented if God lay it on him 214. ¶ All Crosses must be borne ibid. The place where Christ was crucified 215. Why Christ was crucified aloft 213. * How Christ was led to be crucified 213. What torments are expressed in the word crucified 219. ¶ Vses from Christs crucifying 220. c. Five falsehoods in Popish crucifixes 223. Christs Cup what it is 160. * Sinne brings Gods curse upon 〈◊〉 467. * D ALL needlesse dangers are carefully to be shunned 338. †Whether the darkenesse of the Sunne at Christs passion was all the world over 165. †The horrid darknesse of wicked men at the last day 165. ¶ The holy Ghost illuminates as a window in a darke house 509. Dead bodies members of Christ having communion with him 600. Incertainty of death should stirre us up to conscionable walking 237. †At the day of death most care is to bee had of our soules 238. ¶ 257. ¶ 258. * Death but a departing 143. * The good change a Christian makes by death 242. ¶ The greatest extremitie befals Christians at the time of their deaths 169. ¶ We ought to prepare for death 179. †Christs Death 261. Voluntarie 265. The manifestation thereof 266. The Power thereof 269. ¶ The fruits of Christs Death are to us freedome from the Eternall Death Seing of Death Curse of Death Power of
workings of the spirit Simile 1 2 3 Vse 1. Simile 2 3 Simile Sixe benefits we have by the holy Ghost 1 To shew us our miserable estate Simile Simile Simile 2 Illumination of Gods Will. Two waies the Holy Ghost teacheth First by opening our hearts Simile Secondly by strengthening our memory Simile Thirdly Holy Regiment and Government Simile Simile The Holy Ghost governesus two wayes First by restraining evill Secondly by stirring us up to good The fourth Benefit is to give power to perfâ—orme holy duties Simile Impossible to a naturall man 1 2 3 Fifthly comfort in distresse How the comfort of the Holy Ghost exâ—â—ds 〈◊〉 other comfort 1 For 〈◊〉 2 In regard of Puritie Simile 3 In regard of Death 1 In affliction by perswading of Gods love 2 2 By turning all things to our good 3 By comfort that our troubles shall have an end 3 Wayes the Holy Ghost comforts in trouble 1 2 3 2 The Holy Ghost comforts in distresse of conscience How the Holy Ghost comforts in distresse of conscience 1 2 3 At the day of death the Holy Ghost comforts 1 Comfort 2 Comfort 3 Comfort 6 Benefit Vse Simile SERM. LVIII The first Conclusion The first Ground Simile The second Ground Simile The wayes to quench the Spâ—rit First by withdrawing the matter Secondly by powring on water Thirdly by smothering Simile 4 Negligence Simile 2 Conclusion 1 2 Simile 3 Conclusion Foure grounds that the Spirit once truely given is never finally lost 1 The â—romise of God 2 The Power of God 3 Christs Prayer 4 From the Nature of the seed 1 2 Simile 3 Simile 4 Simile Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. Simile Vse 3. Simile How we may retaine the Holy Ghost Five meanes to nourish the Spirit The first use of meanes Simile Simile Secondly not to grieve the Spirit Simile The Spirit grieved two wayes First sinning against Illumination Simile Secondly by disobedience to his motions Thirdly to marke the removes of the Spirit Simile Simile Fourthly to put the Spirit to imployment Simile 5 Not to over burthen the spirit with cares Simile Simile Simile SER. LIX 1 Vnder what forme wee must beleeve ART IX 2 What wee must beleeve of the Church 1 That God hath a Church Vse Quest Ans Vse 2. Simile 1 What the Church of God is The definition of the Church 1 The Church a company Simile 2 A company of called ones Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. 3 Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. Simile 4 Simile Vse 1. Vse 2. Simile Simile SER. LX. Secondly the Parts of the Church First the triumphant Church The Saints are glorified now Reason 1. Object Sol. Reason 2. First against naturall reason Simile Object Sol. Secondly against sanctified reason Secondly the Church militant A man must be a member of the militant before â—e can be of the Church Triumphant Simile Vse 1. Weake Christians deceived Object Sol. Vse 2. Simile Vse 3. Simile Vse 4. Simile SER. LXI Particular parts of the Church Simile Object Sol. 1 2 How the Church is one Simile Simile Vse 1. 3 The diverse states of the Church Simile Simile Simile Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. First it is a mixed company Simile Secondly it may be more pure at one time than another Simile Simile When we may not Separate lawfully from the Church 1 2 3 When we may separate Ans. 1. Affirm Simile 2 SERM. LXII 4 Five priviledges and dignities of the Church The first dignitie of the Church The Citie of excels others in foure respects 2 This societie is to preserve soules especially Simile 3 All commodities goe thither for spirituall life 4 Here is spirituall freedome Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. Vse 3. 2 Dignitie of the Church 1 Consequent That Christ is the head of the Church onely three proofes 1 Simile 2 3 2 Consequent Simile Simile 3 Consequent Simile Simile Vse 3 Dignitie of the Church Simile 1 He loves the Church Three wayes SERM. XLIII 1 Signe of Love Simile Simile 2 Signe of Love 3 Declaration of Love Simile Simile 2 Deduction Simile Simile 3 Deduction 4 Deduction Simile Simile 5 Deduction 6 Deduction Simile Simile Simile 4 Dignitie of the Church Church ground and Pillar of Truth two wayes 1 The Letter of the Scripture Simile Simile Simile 1 Reason prooving the letter of â—he Scripture hath beene kept uncorrupted Reason 2. Reason 3. Simile Reason 4. 1 Argument Reason 5. Vse Quest Sol. Simile Simile Quest. Ans The first proofe of true Translation The second proofe of true Translation Simile Object Sol. 1 Sol. 2 Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. Simile What Canonicall Scripture is Simile Why the Apocrypha was not equally received into the Church foure grounds 1 The Iewes received them not 2 Apocrypha writers were not Penmen of the Scriptures 1 2 3 They bee not of the witnesses Christ will stand to 4 The wants and imperfections of the Bookes bewray so much Vse 1. Simile Simile Vse 2. Simile Vse 3. Simile Simile Simile Quest Sol. Simile Seven Evidences of the Scriptures 1 The Puritie of it 2 By the maiestie of it Simile Simile 3 By the Power of it 4 By the Predictions of it 5 Evidence by the sinceritie of it Simile 6 Evidence the consent of writers 1 In the matter 2 Manner 7 Evidence by Naturall Reason Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. Simile Vse 3. Vse 4. Simile Simile Fifth dignitie of the Church There is no salvation out of it Simile Simile Foure reasons why thereis no salvation out of the Church Reason 1. 1 Ioh. 5. 19. Col. 1. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Simile 2 Reason Simile Reason 3. Reason 4. Vse 1. Simile Simile Vse 2. Simile Simile Vse 3. Simile Quest Ans Simile Quest Ans Simile 2 The Properties of the Church 3 Things seeming to oppugne the Holinesse of the Church 2 Simile 3 Foure wayes the Church is Holy 1 How the true Church may erre two waies 1 Simile 2 Simile 2 Simile Simile Simile 4 Object Defects of Popish Holinesse 1 Failing 2 Failing Simile Simile Vse 1. Simile Simile Simile Vse 2. Vse 4. Simile 2 Propertie of the Church In three regards the Church is sâ—â—d to bee Catholike 1 Of place Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. Simile 2 Of Persons Simile Simile 3 In Regard of Time Vse 1. Simile Vse 2. Object Ans 1. Ans 2. Simile Three Reasons proving that Papists cannot be the true Catholikes 1 2 1 Tim. 2. 5. 3 Vse Simile Two Reasons why God withholds worldly things from his Children 1 Simile Simile 2 2 Sorts of blessings given to the Church Some in this life some in that to come Simile The first blessing God bestowes on his people in this life is the Communion of Saints Communions of the wicked 1 2 3 Simile 1 Communion with God Simile Our Communion with God stands in two things 1 2 Simile 2 Communion with Christ Ioh. 1. vlt. Christ communicates foure things to us 1 Himselfe Quest Sol. Simile 2 The right of his death and merit Simile Simile 3 Power of spirituall